Preliminary Airspace Review Hobart 2019

The 2017 aeronautical study of Hobart made three recommendations that included the monitoring of passenger and aircraft movements at Hobart for two years. We asked various stakeholders from aviation, aerodrome and community sectors to provide feedback regarding the Hobart airspace via our Consultation Hub and through face-to-face meetings. A draft report of this feedback was made available to the public for comment. This was closed in November 2019.

A total of 14 respondents provided feedback through our Consultation Hub. There were eight separate face-to-face meetings and one additional written submission received by email, not via the Consultation Hub.

The responses raised various topics including:

• the consultation process undertaken during the implementation of new instrument flight procedures at Hobart
• the increase in recorded occurrences involving aircraft flying the new procedures
• the suitability of the airspace classification at Hobart with continued growth in aircraft and passenger movements
• support for air traffic control at Hobart Tower and the work they do regarding efficient aircraft movement
• the notable benefit to airspace users operating in Class G airspace from an additional step introduced after the aeronautical study
• an opportunity to further enhance the airspace by introducing a Class C tower service supported by Class C terminal airspace by Airservices Australia. This was generally supported however further information would be required, noting that procedural separation in Class C airspace would cause delays to aircraft operating at Cambridge.

These comments are included in the final report on the Airspace reviews webpage. A change to the wording of the recommendation was made as a result of that feedback to provide consistency with the context of its purpose.

We considered and assessed feedback as part of the airspace review process.

The Hobart airspace review 2019 found:

• that three recommendations made in the 2017 Hobart aeronautical study are finalised
• combined data at Hobart and Cambridge aerodromes recorded yearly average increases in total aircraft movements (6.6%), air transport movements (5.4%) and passenger movements (6.1%)
• new flight routes, SIDs, STARs and terminal instrument flight procedures have been completed and were introduced in November 2019
• the airspace classification is fit for purpose however there is an opportunity for Airservices Australia to enhance the level of service provided and the efficiency of controlled airspace – this opportunity should be examined
• a recommendation that Airservices Australia submit an airspace change proposal for the introduction of a Class C tower service supported by Class C terminal airspace within 12 months from published the report.